METRO NEWS BRIEFS: NEW YORK

METRO NEWS BRIEFS: NEW YORK; Disbarred Lawyer Held On Larceny Charges

Published: November 18, 1999

A disbarred lawyer was arrested yesterday on charges of stealing more than $400,000 from his clients, some of it by forging signatures.

Michael Goodman, who had offices in Manhattan, stole the money from clients over three years, starting in January 1994, said Sarah Frank, a spokeswoman for the Manhattan district attorney's office. Ms. Frank said that Mr. Goodman kept all or part of the escrow funds from clients' business deals or bequests.

Mr. Goodman surrendered yesterday and was charged with second- and third-degree grand larceny, second-degree forgery and criminal possession of a forged instrument. Second-degree larceny is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Shortly after the district attorney's investigation began, the Departmental Disciplinary Committee of the State Supreme Court conducted its own inquiry. Mr. Goodman was disbarred in July 1997, Ms. Frank said.